Somersaulting toy



Feb. 5, 1929.

A. G. TEASON SOMERSAULTING TOY Filed June 25, 1927 Patented Feb. 5,1929.

UNITED, STATES ADAM G. TEASON, OF INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI.

SOMERSAULTING TOY.

Application filed June 23,

This invention relates generally to animated toys, and has moreparticular reference to a doll or figure that can be made to performsomersaults, although certain features of the invention are applicableto dolls generally.

1n the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in whichlike numbers of reference denote like parts wherever they occur,

Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional view of doll that illustratesone form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modified form of doll as it appearswith the dress removed; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention.

The form of the invention exhibited in Figure 1 comprises a fiexurallyresilient stay or elongated support, preferably in the form of a flatslender rod or blade 1 of resilient steel or other suitable material,and a flexible figure or body 2 that is supported or reinforced thereby.The ends of the rod are enlarged to form anchorages for the attachmentof the head and feet, respectively, of the figure thereto. Theenlargements preferably consist of wooden blocks 3 and 4, respectively,that are slitted at 5 to receive the ends of the blade 1 and to hold thesame therein securelv by friction or otherwise. The head 6 may lieformed of a cover or shell of hide or cloth 7 or solid or hollow mouldedrubber that encloses the block 3 and that may be provided with asuitable stuffing or filling 8, such as cotton. The feet 9 may be formedof flaps of leather or other suitable material, and secured to thebottom of the block 4 in any suitable manner, as by means of a tack 10having a rubber or cushioned head 11. A flexible covering or dress 12may be placed around the intermediate portion of the blade 1, the upperand lower ends thereof being preferably stitched to the head 6 and feet9, respectively. A hoop 13 may, if desired, be secured, as by stitches14, to the inner side of the middle portion of the dress. The suit 12may be provided with arm sleeves 15; and hands 16, cut fromv flaps ofleather or other suitable material, may be stitched to the inner sidesof the sleeves 15. A suitable hat 17 may be stitched or otherwisesecured to the head 6.

1927. Serial No. 200,856.

\Vhen the doll is held erect on the left h and 18, with the forefinger19 of the right hand on top of the dolls head 6, as shown in full linesin Figure 1, and the head pushed downward and slightly backward untilthe spring 1 is flexed from its normally straight position to the bowedposition shown in dotted lines, and the forefinger 19 is then slid offthe head rearwardly, the spring 1 is released and tends to straighten toits normal position, throwing the head rapidly forward so that itsmomentum carries the doll into space in a somersaulting motion. If thespring 1 be bent forwardly, the doll will somersault in the oppositedirection.

The doll of Figure 2 embodies features of the doll of Figure 1, and, inaddition thereto, bears an additional block 20, having arms 21 pivotallyconnected to opposite sides thereof. The rods 21 enter the sleeves ofthe dolls dress, and swing on their pivots 22 when the position of thedoll is changed.

Figure 3 illustrates a modification in which a stuffed sack 25simulating a headis placed over the block 3, the lower open end of thesack being drawn together around the blade 1 and held in that positionby means of the encircling cord 24 tied therearound. The lower block 25may serve as a base on which to restthe blade spring 1.

The stay spring 1 may be used inside of or to support inflated rubberballoons, or a cutout figure of any character and of suitable materialmay be attached thereto. A wooden or wire rod may be substituted for theflat steel spring. However, the steel blade preferred because of itsgreater flexibility.

Having thus fully described this invention, I hereby reserve the benefitof all changes in form, arrangement, order, or use of parts, as

it is evident that many minor changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of this invention or the scope of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. An article of thecharacter described comprising a fiexurallyresilient rod, a head borne by one-end thereof, feet borne by the otherend thereof, a flexible covering for the intermediate portion of saidrod and means secured to the inner portion of said covering and adaptedto space the same about said rod.

2. An article of the character described and adapted to space saidcovering about said rod to permit the flexing of the latter therein. 10

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

ADAM G. TEASON

